In compliance with Tennessee code Annotated Section 68-55-503, McMinnville Youth Soccer League (MYS) has adopted guidelines and forms as developed by the Tennessee Department of Health to inform and educate coaches, young athletes and their parents or guardians of the nature, risk and symptoms of concussion and head injury.

Every individual involved in youth athletics must become more proactive in identifying and treating athletes who show signs of concussion or head injury.  In order to address this critical issue, the National Federation of State High School Associations includes the following language in every sport rule-book publication:

Any player who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness confusion or balance problems shall be immediately removed from the game and shall not return to play until cleared by an appropriate health care professional.

Education is the key to identifying and treating youth athletes who show signs of a concussion during athletic participation.  It is very important that every administrator, coach, parent, official, athlete and health-care professional know the symptoms and steps to take when dealing with youth athletes that display signs of a possible concussion.  Concussions can be a serious health issue and should be treated as such.

All MYS members will comply with the terms set forth below in compliance with Tennessee law.

1.              Annual completion by the Board of Directors, Director of Coaching, Technical Directors, all coaches, whether paid or volunteer, of a head injury safety education course.  The concussion signs and symptoms checklist must be included. (See below)

2.              Annual completion of the concussion and head injury coach information form by all coaches prior to initiating practice or competition. (See below)

3.              Annual completion of the concussion and head injury athlete/parent information form by all youth athletes and athlete’s parent or guardian.  This information sheet shall be signed and returned by the youth athlete, if the youth athlete is eighteen (18) years of age or older, otherwise by the athlete’s parent or guardian, prior to the youth athlete’s initiating practice or competition. (See below)

4.              MYS will maintain all documentation of the completion of a head injury safety education course, signed coach and athlete/parent information sheets for a period of three (3) years.

5.              Any youth athlete who shows signs, symptoms and behaviors consistent with a concussion shall immediately be removed from the activity or competition for evaluation by a licensed health care professional, if available, and if not, by the coach or other designated person.  In determining whether a youth athlete suffered from a possible concussion, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) concussion signs and symptoms checklist shall be utilized. (See below)

6.              No youth athlete who has been removed from play due to a suspected concussion shall return to practice or competition until the youth athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care professional and receives written clearance for a full or graduated return to play. (See below)  The concussion return to play form has been approved by the Tennessee Department of Health.  A copy of the form will be kept on file with MYS for a period of three (3) years.

Concussion Forms and Checklists

Concussion Signs and Symptoms Checklist

Coach Information Clip Board Form

Athlete Information Form
Parent Information Form

MYS Concussion Return to Play Form